How to Build a Fast Shelter in the Wilderness

Building a fast or emergency shelter when civilization is out of reach takes skill and knowledge of what the landscape provides. Shelter from an approaching storm, insects or the sun is one of the basic requirements for surviving in the wild. Keeping a cool head and thinking fast makes all the difference.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Take inventory of the landscape around you looking for rocks, trees and opportunities nearby. Pay close attention to potential hazards such as creek beds that flood during spring storms. A better chance of survival in the wilderness is the key, so look at every potential downside when making a location choice.
2. Find shelter in deep snow conditions by digging along the buried portion of a tree trunk. Look for evergreens, which provide cover from additional snow and line the floor of the hole with boughs. Evergreen branches also make handy blankets to give warmth and keep things dry.
3. Protect yourself from the cold when there is no or little snow by creating a ribbed shelter. Find a long branch and lean it against a stump. Add smaller branches to create ribs along the length of the main branch, from shortest to longest. Place evergreen boughs or extra clothing along the ribs to provide protection from wind.
4. Seek rocky outcropping that can provide shade in a desert landscape. Use clothing or packs to provide a shield from the beating sun. Enter caves carefully as dangerous animals are likely already calling it home. Travel at night if possible, while looking for an oasis where trees make building a shelter more feasible.